A Meaningful Win On The PEBB Health Engagement Model (HEM)

This is our fourth article on the Health Engagement Model (HEM). Please scroll down to see what else we have run. The following was taken from a letter from SEIU Local 503 President Linda Burgin which came out earlier today.

I am pleased to report back that the Board voted unanimously to cut the HEM opt-out surcharge from $30 to $20 for covered individuals and from $45 to $35 for couples. PEBB staff and board members committed strongly that personal medical information gathered through HEM will not be held by PEBB, but only by health care providers and health plans, two groups that already have access to this information. PEBB also committed to compliance with HIPAA and other federal and state laws governing privacy of medical information. Finally, PEBB agreed to a transparent evaluation process in the spring of 2012. As part of this effort, our central bargaining team negotiated the establishment of a joint committee to ensure that there is a comprehensive process for members to provide input and feedback to PEBB in the spring of 2012 regarding their concerns about HEM and suggested changes.

The majority of us support the goals of keeping costs down and promoting healthful behavior through incentives and even some disincentives (such as by taxing cigarettes). But we must ensure that these good intentions take shape in good policy, which is why we will continue to work closely with our member leaders, union staff, and PEBB representatives to push for whatever changes we deem necessary to fully protect our membership.

I encourage you to continue to communicate with PEBB on these and other health care-related issues. PEBB can be reached by phone at 503-373-1102 or online at http://oregon.gov/DAS/PEBB/index.shtml.

Go here to read the entire statement.